what is cbc gem

CBC Gem is CBC’s own online streaming service for live and on‑demand TV, movies, news, and kids’ content, available in both a free (ad‑supported) and a paid premium version.

What Is CBC Gem?

CBC Gem is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s digital video streaming platform, similar in concept to services like Netflix or Disney+, but focused on Canadian and CBC programming. It offers live CBC TV channels plus a large catalog of on‑demand shows, films, documentaries, news, sports, and children’s programming.

Key features

• Live streaming of CBC TV from up to 14 local/regional channels across Canada.

• Thousands of hours of on‑demand dramas, comedies, documentaries, movies, and kids’ shows.

• Accessible on many devices (web, mobile apps, connected TVs), with the mobile app downloaded over a million times.

• Closed captioning and described video on most content to improve accessibility.

Free vs Premium

CBC Gem uses a freemium model.

• Free tier:
  • Watch most on‑demand content with ads.

* Stream live CBC TV from multiple regions at no cost.

• Premium tier (monthly subscription):
  • Ad‑free viewing on most on‑demand content (live streams still carry ads).

* Access to CBC News Network live stream.

* Some early or exclusive “Gem” originals and premium titles.

Simple example

If you just want to watch a CBC drama or catch a regional CBC newscast, you can sign in and stream for free with ads. If you hate interruptions and want CBC News Network on tap, you upgrade to Premium for an ad‑free, more “all‑access” experience.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.